Kauai takes the final step
POSTED: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Wailana Borrero wasn't perfect, but she was oh so close.
The senior ace hurled a two-hitter, allowing only a pair of infield singles, as Kauai edged Waialua 1-0 to capture the Division II title in the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships last night at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
The pitchers' duel between Borrero and Waialua ace Marissa Keao came down to a timely hit by Kauai and an error — one of three by the Bulldogs.
“;This was for everyone the last two years,”; said shortstop Jessica Iwata, who drove in the game's only run with a double in the sixth inning.
After finishing second in the last two state tournaments, the Red Raiders (14-1) earned their first state softball crown and became the first team from the Kauai Interscholastic Federation to win the state title since Waimea did it in 1990.
“;I don't even know, words can't explain,”; said Wailana, daughter of coach Darrell Borrero.
“;I'm so proud of her,”; he said.
Kauai's lone run, which was unearned, came in the top of the sixth inning with the help of a Waialua error. Alyssa Carvalho led off with a single to right and advanced to second when the throw from Keao to second baseman Althia Dicion on the ensuing sacrifice bunt glanced off Dicion's glove. Two batters later, Iwata swung at a changeup and swatted a deep shot to center that bounced off the fence for a double, scoring Carvalho easily.
“;I looked back to see if I had to tag up, then I just went,”; Carvalho said. “;Coach said no hesitation. Leave it on the field.”;
Waialua didn't get a baserunner past first in the final two frames.
Borrero was tough from start to finish, painting the inside corner and disarming the Bulldogs with an effective drop pitch. She struck out five and walked just one for her third win in the tourney.
“;She kept it low and there's a lot of movement on her ball,”; said her counterpart, Keao. “;It was her night.”;
Keao allowed just one unearned run, fanning seven and walking two. She finished the tournament with a 0.00 ERA in 14 innings.
Kauai had opportunities, putting runners in scoring position in the third, fourth and fifth innings without success. Waialua came up with big plays — and Keao's clutch pitching — but ran out of chances.
“;I expected the win,”; Waialua coach Jay Keao said. “;But the girls came this far and worked hard. They set the tone for years to come.”;
The matchup was a rematch of a preseason battle in the St. Francis tourney at Central Oahu Regional Park. That game ended in a 0-0 tie.
Kaua'i 1, Waialua 0
| Kaua'i | AB | R | H | BI | Waialua | AB | R | H | BI | |
| Carvalho lf | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Dicion 2b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Klattenhoff ph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hernandez c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Pungan 2b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Keao p | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Borrero p | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Herrod pr | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Iwata ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Maxwell 3b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Jasper 1b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Kilday rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Layosa rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Naki, C. lf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aki 3b | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Wong ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kaneali'i pr | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Santiago dh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Matsumoto c | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Barone ph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Doi cf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Salvador ph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Balidoy cf | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Naki, S. 1b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Totals | 24 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Totals | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Kaua'i | 000 | 001 | 000 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Waialua | 000 | 000 | 0 | — | 0 | 2 | 3 |
E—Aki 2; Wong 2; Naki, S. DP—Waialua 1. LOB—Kaua'i 6; Waialua 5. 2B—Borrero; Iwata; Aki. SH—Matsumoto; Doi. SB—Iwata; Jasper; Balidoy. CS—Layosa.
| Kaua'i | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Borrero (W, 3-0) | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Waialua | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Keao (L, 2-1) | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
Umpires—Clif Yaguchi (Plate); Mike Victorino (First); Ramon Silva (Second); Joe Wilson (Third).
T—1:39. A—N/A.
Third place
Kaiser 9, Kamehameha-Hawaii 2
